Q&A by Brad Balfour
Multi-talented recording artist Luca Dayz is as much an entrepreneurial executive as he is a musical creator. In that he is following in a noble tradition prominently set in motion by the late, legendary Motown Records founder and songwriter Berry Gordy.
Going from auto plant worker to hit songwriter to music industry mega mogul, Gordy managed not only to create a business worth billions, but also the change the history of music. Dayz may not be changing the face of music but he is a creatively centered entrepreneur who is making a business that is expanding beyond its core into fashion, television and more much like his predecessors Sean Combs, Jay Z and DMX.
At the same time, Dayz has had humble origins and proclaims, “I’m a grateful person. I was homeless multiple times between the ages of 17-20, which I believe was a valuable part of my youth, because I learned to value things more. Today, I’ve learned to appreciate everything I have built, especially looking back at those times. And I’ve always used the power that God has vested in me to create opportunities for others. I will continue to do so.”
In following his dream, he performs quite a juggling act between work as an artist and as an executive, leading all these non-musical ventures while being the Bentley Records CEO. The youthful has quite a full plate with all the artistic creations, launching music with American rapper and media personality Snoop Dogg.
Being the label’s founder, Dayz has not only created the expected R&B and hip hop music but has also worked with such talent as Irish singer-songwriter Dave Carey, a Cork-based resident. In December, 2019, Bentley released Carey’s melody-driven EP, “Backroom Window.” And his latest release is also an example of his diverse interest — a “Contemporary Christian” song created by Grammy-winning Jackie’s Boy titled “Back to Love” (with production by Motivibes Music).
Among this multi-talented artist and business leader are such entrepreneurial pursuits, as being Luxo Group International president which manages LuxoAir, a private jet company. He also has a luxury travel agency, Luxo Travels, designer fashion company XKON and a TV station, MIXZtv.
But he dreamed of being an R&B artist since childhood so he recorded his first demo at age 13 using a karaoke mic and a kitchen sponge as the filter.
Q: You were pretty young when you did your first musical project? How did you make it happen?
LD: In fact, I was 13 when I created my first demo. I sent it over to a couple labels, but never heard back. That only helped me re-strategize, even at a young age I suppose. So this was definitely my dream since I was little. I grew up listening to a lot of old school R&B. I was inspired by the likes of Brian McKnight, Vince Gill, R Kelly, Whitney, Babyface, Tevin Campbell, Bill Withers etc. So yeah, R&B was my first love without a doubt.
I started my professional career as a song writer back when I was 15. At 17, I met Grammy-winning producer Troy Taylor. Which was a life-changing moment. I continued to work on music back then. Which eventually led to me working in several top studios when I was around 18. There I was fortunate to meet some really well known artists and refine my craft. That was around when I started doing solo work as well.
At the same time, I was in and out of homelessness for very long periods between the ages of 16 to 19. Many nights were spent in the cold and without any food. So it was difficult to focus on the music, but I never gave up. I knew it was my calling. One could say, music fed my soul. Interesting analogy huh!
Also in the music business, sometimes you start hanging around with the wrong people. So I got into some, let’s say “unwanted habits”. My life turned around the day I found God, which was around three years ago.
Q: You founded Bentley Records and become its CEO in 2013?
LD: I was on the brink of signing a contract with a well-known label. But then life happened. And due to personal reasons and bad management, it ended up not happening. Which was a blessing in disguise! This is where it all got started. Many times in my life I’ve seen how God would take something away from me, and give me something better! This was one of those situations.
Initially I started Bentley Records to release my own music. People started seeing what I was doing. So some of my homies who were doing music started hitting me up asking me to sign them. That’s when the label really started becoming a label. And as the label grew, bigger and bigger artists came to us.
Artists love working with us, for the fact that we give them the creative freedom, and let them own their craft. In comparison to some of these other labels (I’m not going to mention any names) who will steal your art!
Q: How do you manage to handle all that?
LD: Quite frankly it’s a lot of work. I work harder than anybody else I know. However, these are all my passions, so it’s all a lot of fun. Apart from music, I’m heavily engaged in the private jet business. Which is my second main industry I’d say. I’m 27 now, and for the last seven years I’ve really worked super hard. Without a day off.
I haven’t had much of a personal life, because I was married to the game! But lately I been looking a bit after myself as well. And living life a bit more!
Q: It’s hard to imagine someone starting out as an artist and then becoming a music executive. You actively pursue both. Any funny or memorable stories that result from your multi-focus?
LD: Ha ha, there are many fun memories! I’m still very much active as an artist as well, although I’m more invested towards the executive side of music. But back to fun memories, OK, this is a stupid one by the way. So I was flying to a show over a year ago on a very reputable airline. By the time I got on board, let’s say I’d had a few champagne glasses too much. Only next day I remembered that I tried to use the galley as a toilet! Now that’s embarrassing right? Ha ha! I’m grateful to all the lovely cabin crews who put up with my non-sense!
Q: Since you don’t want all Bentley artists to be the same as you, what do you look for in other artists that you take on?
LD: Frankly, we’re looking to work with artists from all musical backgrounds. We’re a family. We give artists full creative freedom and the right to own their masters. Which a lot of labels don’t do. I just want artists to be comfortable and just make their best music. I don’t care who you are, where you come from, what you like, what you don’t etc. I just want you to share your craft with the world! We’re all one big family as humans, and music is the language of love.
Q: How far afield from your own core genre of music do you envision yourself going?
LD: I’m a R&B head as you know. But lately I been working on a lot of pop records as well. So my goal is to create a sound, which is a combination of both. That’s what the market requires right now.
I recently worked on a new hit with Sean Kingston and my artist Tina Karol called “Phenomenal”. That’s sort of the sound I’m working towards in terms of production. It was produced by one of my long term collaborators Turreekk Beats, aka OHMR music, and co-written by D’Meetri.
Q: What producers do you favor?
LD: I got a lot of producers that I look up to and want to work with. One of my dreams is to work with the king of pop music production, Max Martin. He’s been in the game for 20+ years I believe. And still creating #1 hits. That’s a crazy achievement. That’s the level of consistency I want to be on.
I also love the work that Ryan Tedder does. He’s best known for being the lead singer of One Republic. Behind the scenes, he has penned some amazing hits. I’m also a huge fan of Cool & Dre. And would love to get in the studio with them at some point.
And of course DJ Khaled! Well, who wouldn’t want to be in the studio with that energy!
Q: When do you decide to produce someone yourself?
LD: A lot of artists reach out to me. With my busy schedule, I have to be very particular on who I will personally work with. So mostly I pick artists who have a superior musical knowledge. I’ve had the pleasure of working with artists from all over the world. From Europe to Ukraine to Australia to Japan, You name it!
Q: What music do you consider a benchmark of excellence and why?
LD: I’m a lover of all music. However some of the music you hear on the radio today, I’d say isn’t the best. You hear it a couple times, and that’s it. So I like music that stays in your heart forever. That’s the type of music I want my artists to create.
Q: How much do you think of the visuals when you hear music you like?
LD: Visuals are very important in today’s music. Fans not only like to hear the songs, they want to see it like a movie.
Q: What do you most like people to know about you and the work you do?
LD: I just do my work, and let my music speak for itself. And that goes for all the business work I do as well. I want to give back to the society, give back to people. I came from nothing, so I know how important it is to share my blessings and my knowledge with as many people as possible. That’s my goal. That’s why God has given me the opportunity to do what I love, and to go through what I went through. I look at everything from a positive perspective. Even certain things one would consider as bad. So I’m very much an optimist in all things. And I want to share that positivity with people.
I want to continue to work with legends and create legendary music for the people, spreading love through that. Eventually I want to get in to space industry and accomplish my dream of making humans multi-planetary species. And I want to spend most of my time working on my LUXO Group HOPE Foundation.
Oh, and fight against human trafficking, which is one of my biggest passions.
Q: You’ve received awards as well as got involved with legendary West Coast rapper Snoop Dogg and multi-platinum European superstar Tina Karol. Her track, “Blow Your Mind,” was released in August, 2020 on your own label.
LD: I’ve received several awards both as an artist and for my businesses. But in terms of music, my next goal is to win a Grammy for my work. I know I will get there.
It was a blessing to work with Snoop! It’s always been one of my dreams. He’s a legend in Hip Hop. And in music in general. I’ve admired his music ever since I was a kid! He’s been in the game for so long. So it was definitely a dream come true to work on that project. It took me almost three years to get it out.
I’m a perfectionist. I won’t release something until I have the right situation for it. What’s the point of dropping a song like nothing, when I can drop it bigger when it’s the right moment! Sometimes people hate me for this, but I’m a strategist. For me everything is about strategy.
Luca Dayz: https://lucadayz.net/
Bentley Records: https://www.bentley-music.com/